Everyone knows air pollution occurs happens outside, but not many people recognize air pollution can also be in our homes. In fact, indoor air quality sometimes be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. What’s more, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that we spend 90% of our time indoors, which means the quality of indoor air should never be ignored. So, our technicians have made a list of tips you can follow to improve your indoor air quality:
1. Put large floor mats at every door to trap the amount of dirt, lead and other chemicals brought in from the outside. To go even further, everyone in your home should remove their shoes upon walking in the door (still wiping them on the mat is a good idea). If you need the support, invest in arch supportive indoor shoes or slippers.
2. Vacuum your carpets at least twice a week using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to reduce the amount of dust mites, lead and other toxins. Even if you have multiple individual carpets in your house or carpeted floors, the time you spend vacuuming will be more than worth it.
3. Clean your floors with microfiber mops and plain water to capture the dust and allergens that vacuuming leaves behind. At least once a week you should steam mop your floors, especially in your kitchen, to remove grim and dust. Just because you can’t feel it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Once a month you should use pine sol or another deep cleaning agent.
4. Don’t smoke in your home and stay away from secondhand smoke. Ask smokers to take it outside. Smoke particles can cling to virtually any surface, and you will be able to tell even after just one smoke.
5. Avoid strong-smelling cleaning products that can irritate the respiratory system. Use safer products like regular soap, vinegar or baking soda.
6. Prevent mold growth by controlling moisture levels. Install a fan in your bathroom and use a dehumidifier to keep humidity at 40% throughout the house. If you have basements or crawlspaces, invest in smaller dehumidifiers to help manage humidity in those areas.
7. Avoid products that contain formaldehyde, such as high-VOC paints and certain wood furniture products. These particles will linger in your air and bring the air quality down.
8. Ventilate using HEPA air filters to cut down on the toxins that pollute your home. Try to have an air filter on each floor of your house, especially if you have pets or frequent guests.
9. Have a professional company clean your duct system if you suspect it contains mold, debris or other contaminants and after your home has been remodeled. If your duct system is dirty, it can easily spread harmful particles throughout your house.
10. Test for Radon – the lethal gas that forms in the soil and rock underneath the foundation.
Even if we are not allergic or suffer from respiratory diseases, polluted indoor air can endanger our health after years of repeated exposure. Take action now and keep the air in your home as fresh as you can.
Test your Indoor Air Quality Today
For professional odor removal, as well as water, fire or mold remediation and restoration services, call our restoration professionals at (708) 708-7678. Day or night, rain our shine, our trusted restoration technicians will answer the call, no matter what restoration concern you have. We will asses you indoor air quality no matter what, and work to find the problem source or root cause. Our goal is to remediate in such a way that you can breathe easy, and keep breathing easy as long as possible.
